Colmar, France

On Sunday, the kids, DH and myself, jumped on a train for the short ride back to Colmar.

A very good decision by the DIL, Colmar Xmas markets were amazing and we had a wonderful day exploring and visiting the 7 markets on offer, my favourite was the artisans market, the talent of the people exhibiting was brilliant.

 Colmar is located in the Grand EST region of northeastern France, near the border with Germany, the town has cobblestones streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

We visited the gothic 13th century, Eglise Saint Martin church.

My favourite was the ginger bread houses.

Beautiful icing, amazed by the creativity.

Colmar was a very charming town.

Carousel bar

Xmas decorations for sale

Medieval houses

Xmas decorations 

Cara and I in little Venice, Colmar

Our last meal in Strasbourg, a little French and German mix, pork knuckle and sausage with apple strudel and creme brûlée.

Colmar train station, adios!

Enjoying the beer and mulled wine.

Strasbourg, France.

After Basel we caught our train back to France and onto Strasbourg for the Xmas markets, they have been rated one of the best in Europe. The ride was less than 1 hour and two tram stops to our accomodation. Due to the shooting in Strasbourg, 4 days ago, at the Xmas markets, we could not get of at our designated stop,

We got of the tram at the first available stop, then had to go through security checks to get into the main part of town where the markets and our accomodation is located.
Our suitcases were checked then we head of to our air B&B, a good location in the heart of the markets. We dropped of the bags then off to explore all that Strasbourg has to offer.
First stop was lunch to sample the local dish, flammkucken, also known as a tarte flambé, it is a thin pizza base with creme freiche, onion and slices of cheese.

We of course had more mulled wine, I must say there has not been too many decorations that attract me, very hard not to convert back to our dollar and feel, I can get that cheaper at home, all the stuff is so repetitive, looking for the unusual. 

Strasbourg has the largest Xmas tree, over 30mtrs tall, 7 ton and a 12mtr span

The kids enjoying the ice rink.

 After an enjoyable evening at the markets, we retired back to our accomodation, the next morning we woke to snow, much to the kids delight.

Lyon

After our frantic 2 days in Paris we are off to Lyon, we travelled the 2 1/2hour train journey and arrived early afternoon. After we got into our air B &B we set of to explore our surroundings and visit the Xmas markets.
Tomorrow we will visit Notre Dame and ride the venicular to the top, the younguns will walk up the hill.

 The Xmas markets in Lyon

Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf

Alice in Wonderland

Fountain in the square.

 The fountain in the upmarket shopping area

DH bought a few different salami’s

Nantes, Paris and culture.

GOn our day of sightseeing in Nantes we had an enjoyable day visiting Chateau Des Ducs De Bretagne and the Le Musee d' histories de Nantes. The tour through the museum takes a couple of hours and an audio guide in English is available. The castle has been restored to it's true magnificence and the redisgned museum is well worth a visit. During the tour you learn about the history of the city, this Breton fortress with its 15th and 18th century buildings testify the history of the city, built by Francois 11, the last duke of Brittany and continued by his daughter Anne of Brittany, twice queen of France. The castle fortifications enclose a renaissannce  palace with exquisitely carved facades and loggia.

Footbridge entry over moat, to Castle.

Anne of Brittany statue.

Artifacts in the museum

Gorgeous paintings, headpiece depicted from the early 1500's

Gorgeous toile, patterns are done with blocks.

Nantes being a shipping port, naval artefacts are displayed in the museum.

French posters

Intricately caved biscuit box

Inside the courtyard of the castle.

After our visit to the Castle we ventured down the streets of Nantes, visited some second hand shops, vintage fabrics, lace etc.

Cosmopolitan streets in Nantes.

After our stroll through the streets we visited the cathedral.

Inside the cathedral 

Gorgeous dome on top of a restaurant and novelty shops in Nantes.

Next day time to catch our train back to Paris